Rishi Sunak urges for ‘radical action’ by the NHS on ‘knife edge’

Rishi Sunak, a member of an emergency meeting of health leaders, urged them to take “bold” and radical actions to end the NHS winter crisis.

During the Downing Street talks, the Prime Minister said that “a business-as usual mentality will not fix the problems we face”.

Critics claimed the discussions would be nothing more than a “talkshop” that fails to relieve the enormous pressure on front line services after “years and years of inaction”.

The rare weekend meeting was attended by Professor Sir Chris Whitty, England’s chief medical officer, as well as Amanda Pritchard, chief executive of NHS England.

Senior doctors warned that the NHS is on a knife edge. Many A&E units are struggling to keep up with demand, while trust and ambulance services are reporting serious incidents.

The health system is under immense pressure due to a wave of strikes and an increase in influenza and coronavirus.

Alongside Steve Barclay (Health Secretary) and John Glenn (Chancellor of the Exchequer), Mr Sunak has been holding hearings about four key issues, including delayed social care releases.

During the so called NHS Recovery Forum, he was to explore ideas about how to improve the performance and efficiency of A&E and ambulances, reduce waiting times for surgeries and relieve the pressure on GPs.

Sunak said that he was aware of the “troubled” times they had gone through in the past two years.

“During a Pandemic, we’ve needed to bring audacity to how we do things to get through it,” he said to Downing Street.

“I think we need to have the same bold and radical approach now, because a business-as usual mentality is not going be able to solve the problems we face.”

Mr Sunak said that he was filled “tremendous faith” when he heard examples from “different parts” of the health care system where things were going well.

He said, “Together, today, we can uncover the things that will make an enormous difference for the country, and for every family member, in the short- and medium-term.”

The prime minister was expected seek technology advice on issues like home care support and virtual wards.

Downing Street has committed to publishing recovery plans to reduce waiting time for A&E and ambulances in the coming weeks.

The British Medical Association, the doctors union, urged Mr Sunak not to attend the meeting. “Any recovery plan is dead upon arrival unless it addresses our workforce crisis that is crushing the health services,”

Professor Philip Banfield, chair of the Council, stated that the only people not invited to attend the NHS Recovery Forum is the NHS workforce.

“He needs to meet with us to discuss wages. He needs to do this now.”

Matthew Taylor, chief executive officer of the NHS Confederation, which represents NHS organisations, stated that there are no silver sliver solutions to the crisis after “decades” of underinvestment.

He said that “this crisis has been in the making since a decade or so and we are now suffering the heavy price for years of inaction” and “management of regression”.

“Patients are experiencing delays that have not been seen in years.”

Shadow Health Minister Wes Streeting stated:

The prime minister only revealed a series photos of the event in his interviews.

“Rishi Sunak gives all the impression of someone not using the NHS and is now going after patients and staff who have been crying out for help in the midst of the biggest crisis in NHS history.

“We need a bit less talk and a lot of action.”

Daisy Cooper, a Liberal Democrat spokeswoman, urged Mr Sunak “declare a grave national incident”.

How many meetings has he attended? eveningYou must hold on to him until he decides to do anything. How many patients must die in order to be able to continue living? She agreed. “The time to act is now.”

This week, the prime minister made it one of his key promises for the next two years to reduce NHS waiting lists. However, the strike is making the crisis more difficult.

Monday’s meeting will see Mr Barclay meet union leaders to discuss NHS wages in the next financial year. These talks are unlikely to prevent planned strikes.

Pat Cullen, Secretary-General of Royal College of Nursing, has asked the Prime Minster to “inject nettles and negotiate [with the nurses]” to prevent strike.

She stated that she would attend the meeting to discuss the nursing issue in all forums. However, it will not stop the strike that was scheduled for 10 days.

“I have prepared an olive branch to take us to the table, and now ask the Prime Minister to meet the RCN halfway. The ball is firmly in the Prime Minister’s court.”

According to a source within the Department of Health and Social Care, the health secretary will host an honest and constructive discussion about the affordability of NHS wages next year.

Press Association